HC Deb 20 March 1906 vol 154 cc213-4
DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether re-enlistment for a further period of three years of Chinese coolies, now engaged under the Transvaal Labour Ordinance, will, under any circumstances, be possible, if responsible self-government be granted before the first batch of licences expire in May, 1907; and whether re-enlistment will be possible in the case of licences expiring before responsible self-government be set up.

* MR. CHURCHILL

It is most improbable that any of the existing licences will expire before the Transvaal has become a responsible self-governing colony. After the grant of self-government is complete, re-enlistment, like further importation, will be permitted only if the Transvaal Assembly pass a new Ordinance in respect of Chinese labour which commands the assent of the Imperial Government.

DR. MACNAMARA

Do I understand that re-enlistment will not be possible under the existing Ordinance after local self-government has been granted?

* MR. CHURCHILL

Re-enlistment under the existing Ordinance will, of course, not be possible. The whole matter will be reconsidered by the new Assembly and every circumstance will be subject to the general review of the Home Government.